For anyone living under a rock, Luka Doncic has been balling and how. The Mavericks guard has been etching his name among the all-time greats with each of his performances lately. The 23-year-old is the only player after Wilt Chamberlain to start his season with at least 30-points in the first 9-games.
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Coming off yet another impressive performance, this time against the defending champions Warriors, Luka tied Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki for most triple-doubles in franchise history. In the 283 games played so far in his career, the Slovenian native is already a top-10 scorer in franchise history.
Leading the league in scoring, Luka Magic is averaging 33.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 8.6 APG on 50.5% shooting from the field. Unfortunately, the Mavs haven’t been able to capitalize on their superstar’s sensational run, holding a 10-10 record, barely managing to be on the +500 mark.
During a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, former player-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins had his colleagues a little surprised by not having Luka’s name in his top 5 candidates for MVP.
“Your team cannot be sitting on the 9th or 10th spot”: Kendrick Perkins on why Luka Doncic doesn’t make his top 5 MVP list.
Though there is still a major chunk of the season left, Big Perk decided to give his early predictions for the MVP award, revealing his list of top 5 contenders.
Surprisingly, amongst the popular favorites to win the award, Luka was missing from the list, leading to co-panelist and WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike asking him if the Mavs’ record was a reason, to which Perkins replied the following.
“Yes, because not only do you need to have a great individual numbers, but your team has to be winning, your team can’t be sitting at the no. 9/10th spot at a +500 record, and you expect him to be in the MVP conversation, it’s just not how it works. Now look, Luka has been doing his thing individually, but last time I checked your team has to have success and be up in the top tier as well.”
While Perkins makes a valid argument, we have in the past witnessed cases of players being awarded MVP despite their team having a mediocre record. Nonetheless, the case has to be exceptional, one such being that of Russell Westbrook’s 2016-17 triple-double season.
Luka Doncic needs more help.
Averaging 37.4 MPG, Luka leads his team in almost every aspect whether it be points, rebounds, assists, or field goals. However, the rest of the Mavericks’ supporting cast has failed to do justice to the former EuroLeague MVP’s performances on the court.
It is time the front office gives Luka the necessary ammunition, given at the end of the day, basketball is a 5 vs. 5 sport, and further delays may soon result in the three-time All-Star wanting out.
